Swimming device



Feb. 19, 1929. 1,702,681-

Q- BARBOSA SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Sept. so, 1927 TTORNE Y Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

QUINTINO IBAR-LBOSA, OF BRIGHTON BEACH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES .ALTMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Application filed September 30, 1927. Serial No. 223,132.

This invention relates to swimming devices and in particular to a type adapted to be placed upon the feet of the swimmer to assist in propelling him through the water.

A particular object of the invention 1810 provide a swiinn'iing device which may be quickly acconnnodated to the feet of the.

wearer and which will materially aid in its propulsion, the device being provided with. blades whereby their movement through the water in an anti-swimming direction will offer least resistance due to the foldability thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a swimming vein or blade which will fold up when drawn in one direction through the water and wl ich will maintain its open positionto resist movement througl'i the water when forced in the opposite diretion whereby the swimmer is enabled to advance rapidly throughthe water by a rearward kicking of the feet.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which can be detachably secured to thefeet of the swimmer and which may be incorporated in a complete shoe or may be made for use as part of a. sandal to fit closely about the feet of the swimmer. y I

To en able others skilled in the art to fuliy con'iprehend the underlying features of my invention, that they may embody the same in the various modifications in structure and relation contemplated, a drawing depicting a preferred form has been annexed as a part of this disclosure and in such drawing, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing my improved swimming device as applied to a shoe.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 and shows the method of attaching the swimming blade to the side of the shoe.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a modified form showing the use of my swimming blade in conncction'with the sandal, which is adapted to fit closely about the foot of the swimmer.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 44 of Figure 3 and shows the method of securing the swimming blade to the side of the sandal.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 and shows the method of connecting the front portion of the blade with the toe encircling strap of the sandal. Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates a shoe of the swimming variety which is usualiy made up of water-resistant material, closed at the front as by the laces 6 and provided with the extended ankle encompassing portion 7. The inner side of the shoe, and it will be understood that my swimming device is applicable to the right and left foot shoes, description of one of which will suiiiee, and the shoe, on its interior wall is provided with a reinforcing element 8, at the ankle portion thereof and also with a reinforcing eiement 9 in the toe portion thereof. In order to securely hold in suitable position on the ankle and toe portions of the shoe, the outer steel hinge members 10 and 11 respectively, it of course being understood that the hinge 10 is secured through the medium of suitable rivets 12 to the inner reinforcing member 8 and the hinge memberll is secured in the same manner to the inner reinforcing member 9. The hinge members 10 and 11 have pivotal connection with other hinge members 13 and 14 which are secured to a blade 15. A suitable block 16 is positioned on the hinge plate 13 and has secured thereto, as at 17, one end of a coil spring 18, the other end of which is attached to the upper edge of the hinge plate 10. The block 16 prevents movement ofthc blade 15 above a horizontal plane against the action of the spring 18, it being readily understood that when the foot dragged through the water by the doubling up of the leg that the resistance of the water against the blade 15 will overcome the tension of the spring and allow the blade to assume anangular position from the horizontal wherein it will not resist passage through the water, but when a kicking movement is given to the leg, the resistance of the water against the under side of the blade 15 will cause it to assume a horizontal ,100

position in which position it will be held by the blocks 16 bearing against the hinge plate 10.

It is quite evident in this form of construc tion that the shoe, being tightly laced upon the leg and foot of the swimmer, will permit efficient operation of the blade in its movements through the water in one direction, allowing the blade to fold up so as to oifer little resistance to the bending of the leg preparatory to a kicking HIOVQlIiGIit and when the kicking movement is started, the blade will open offering resistance to its passage through the water and consequently aiding the swimmer in his swimming ino'venient,

Referring to the modification s iown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that instead of the shoe, 1 have provided a StlHlLll member 19, consisting of the upper strap portion and lower st 'ap portion 21, joined by the an rle strap 22, to v. .iich is secured, as by riveting or other suitable media, the reinforce band 23, this band extending around and underneath the heel and providing; a solid incinher to which may be riveted or otherwise cured, the hinge plate This hinge late has soldered thereto, a hood 25, which covers the coil spring 26, the spring itself beii'ig secured at its lower end. to the hi plate 2'? which is secured. to the blade L8 in the same manner liereinbe'itore described the bottom of the hood lies adjacent the l riige plate 27 and consequently prevents upward inov' 1613 of the blade 28 from position in a liorizaoir tal plane, thus permitting a swimming movement of the foot to cause the blade 28 to remain in its horizontal position to otter l'Qbl Q- anbe to the water and enable the swiinni'c advance more rapidly therethrougi The sandal further provided. with the sole strap 29 and instep st ap 30 which are joined at their front ends by the toe strap 3i to which is also secured, a hing-re plate 32, which pivotally holds the hinge plate 33. woich, in turn, is secured, as before described to the blad It is quite evident, that when the sancal is placed upon the foot and buckled by the buckles provided therein for that purpose,

that it will act in the same inanne and per term the same function as the swiinn'iing blade, descril'ied in Figures 1 and it is quite evident, therefore, that l have provided a. s\\"'uin'1in, device which will materially aid the swin'iu'ier in his :l-ilViti'ltO through the water.

is of course understood that vii-ions materials may be used in the construction of my device but preferably 1 employ wood for use in connection with the blade and a rust-resisting; metal for use in coi'i n'ection with the hinges and the hood, the spring, of course, being made out of brass or other noncorrodible metal which not altected by salt or fresh water. The brace, of course, is made of heavy spring steel and provides the support necessary between the blade and the foot whereby the blade will operate f'ciently and be a us iiul adjunct in swiinn'iing.

It is evi lent, therefore, that I have pro vi ded a swimming dev'ce which may be en1- ployed in connection with both feet al'id which will not only not interfere with the action of the swimmer in the i *ater l it will materially aid in his progress there )1 It is also evident, that l haw provided a swiinn ling; device of light material which; may be readily attached to the feet of th swin'in'ier and which will not interfere with h J walking on the shores preparatory to env the water. 7

It is also evident, that i have provided a i vice which may be used in connection with either sandals or shoes a id which may be quickly and securely attached to the feet oi the wearer and one which can be produced small cost with resulting sav'ng to the user.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particulw" I realize that in practice various alter therein may he made. I therefore lti-ElVC right and privilege of cl the iori'i'i oi? the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlate parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claiitri.

Hi 111?, thus dcscriliied iny invei on, what It claim as new and desire to secure by United Sta es Letters Patent is A swimming device of the character descrih'cdj comprising a sandal for a chment to the foot, riaid n'ieni 'iers secur cl to the sandal, a plate hinged to said rigid in-cn'ihcrs, a spring tor normally urging the plate to ertendc-d position, a hood secured to one of the rigid u'ier ibers and torniing a l-iou's'zing for said spring and the lower eoge of the hood arranged to limit the pivotal. iiioven ci of the plate in one direction.

I In testiinonv wherei'i'i ll my signature.

onnvriuo nannosa. 1,. S; 

